Minister of Health on Constitution and Public Health

Michel Chebat

The Belizean Rights and Justice Movement launched its anti-vaccination campaign last week. Since then, the Belize Medical and Dental Service as well as the Belize Broadcasting Authority have issued statements – the B.M.D.A. in respect of several individuals claiming to be doctors, but who are not in the system and then the B.B.A. which is advising media houses to refrain from spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 virus and vaccine.  Minister of Health and Wellness, Michel Chebat today stressed that public safety comes first.

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness

“I have heard some of what they are saying and I don’t know where the science is to substantiate their positions; I am yet to hear that. I want to say it very clearly. The constitution does provide that the government has the right to safeguard the public health of this nation. And when that in a condition of pandemic like we are right now, then the individual rights are abrogated to give way to the public health of the nation. And so their constitutional argument does not hold water. What they are doing is spreading fear among people. I’ll tell you. As we move along, we have one hundred and fifteen thousand Belizeans who have gotten a first dose and we must applaud these people and we must recognise that they are making the effort to save themselves, to save their loved ones to save this country. And as time goes on, they are going to be having benefits that people who have not been vaccinated will not have. This is a serious matter. The vaccinations are here to save our lives and we have to take it seriously.”